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(No Model.) A 5 Sheets--Sheet 1.

-A. HARMEL.

APPARATUS FOR DYBING WOOL.

No. 391,043. Patented Oct. 16,1888.

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5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A. HARMEL. APPARATUS FOR DYEING WOOL.

Patented Oct. 16, 1888.

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A. HARMEL.

APPARATUS FOR DYEING WOOL.

No. 391,043. P tented Oct. 16, 1888.

N. PETERS. Pboltrljmographar. Wnhingwn. D. (l

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

A. HARMEL.

APPARATUS FOR DYEING WOOL.

No. 391,043. I PatentedOct. 16, 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

ALBERT HARHEL, OF VAL DES BOiS, MARNE, FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR DYEING WOOL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,043, dated October 16, 1888.

Application filed May S, 1888. Serial No. 273,201.

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT HARMEL, of Val des Bois, in the Province of Marne, in France, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for Dyeing \rVool, of which the following is a specification.

This improved apparatus is more particularly designed for the dyeing of wool or similar fibrous materials in tops, cops, noils, flocks, tufts, and wastes.

The apparatus which constitutes the object of this invention consists, principally, in a movable metallicframe-work which is designed and constructed to be placed within the dyevat, said frame-work comprising in its construction a series of receptacles for holding the wool, said receptacles having perforated tops and bottoms, and being so arranged that when in operative position they are entirely submerged in the dye'liquor within the vat, and said frame-work also comprising a liquid reservoir or tank, which, when the apparatus'is in operation, is located above the dye-vat, and is in communication with the several receptacles which hold the material to be dyed. The liquid for dyeing is kept constantly in circulation by suitable apparatus, the circulation of the liquid being downward through the receptacles containing the material to be dyed into the vat, thence outward through an aperture in the bottom of the vat, and thence upward into the liquid-reservoir carried by the movable frame work above the Vat. The liquid descends from the upper reservoir down through the material to be dyed solely by its own weight, so that there is agentle percolation of the liquid through the material to be dyed, and since the liquid passes only in vertical lines through the material to be dyed the receptacles in which the material is contained having imperforate walls and the receptacles being entirely filled with the material, the material is uniformly and evenly dyed.

The improved apparatus is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of one form of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. Figs. 4, 5, and 6 are vertical and cross-sections and plans, respectively, of a modified form of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of another modification of (No model.)

the apparatus. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, and Fig. 9 a plan view, of still another modification.

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, E represents a dye-vat, of any ordinary or suitable construction, which contains the dye-liquor. A A represent the receptacles which contain the material to be dyed, and which are suspended within the vat during the process of dyeing. These receptacles are suspended and form part of the vertically-movable framework, which, when the receptacles are in operative position, rests upon and is supported by the vat. Constituting part of this frame-work and extending across the vat is a liquid reservoir or tank, 0, from which the receptacles A are suspended by means of tubes D, which also establish communication between said reservoir and the receptacles.

As shown in the drawings, there are several of the receptacles, four being the number shown suspended side by side from the reservoir 0. Each receptacle has a perforated fixed bottom and three of its sides fixed and imperforate. The fourth side, which, as shown, is

one of the ends of the receptacle, is removable,

and constitutes a door, 13, for placing the material within the receptacles. This door is imperforate and fits tightly in the receptacle, so as to prevent the passage of liquor between it and the receptacle. The receptacles shown in these figures are shaped and adapted more particularly for the reception of wool tops or cops, and when the wool tops are placed within the receptacles they completely fill the lower part of the same, so that no dyeliquor can pass through the receptacles except by passing through some portion of the material. The cover B is arranged as shown, so that it is capable of lateral adjustment for the purpose of slightly compressing the material to be dyed. The material when placed within the receptacles does not fill the same throughout its vertical extent, so that a space is left within each receptacle above the material for the reception of the dye-liquor. \Vithin each receptacle, however, there is a perforated or foraminous cover, I, which rests upon the upper portion of thematerial within each receptacle. Each of these perforated covers I is vertically adjustable, being connected to a screw-shalt, H, which extends upwardly through the tube D above the reservoir C, where it is manipulated by a hand-wheel. By means of this method of mounting the perforated covers may be pressed down upon the material in order to apply a suitable and proper pressure thereto. The frame-work, which carries the'receptacles and the upper reservoir, 0, has attached toit upwardly-extending straps F F, which are connected by a crossbar, G, by'means of which the frame-work may be lifted and removed from thevat. In this manner the framework, carrying with it the receptacles containing the material, may be bodily transferred to other vats for the purpose of continuing or carrying on other operations connected with the dyeing of the material, such as mordanting, rinsing, burnishiug, fixing, washing, &c. In case there should not be enough material to be dyed to fill all of the receptacles, and since it is essential for the proper dyeing of the material that the dye-liquor should pass only through the material to be dyed, the receptacles are so arranged that each may be cut off from the reservoir 0 by means of a valve, K, carried by the screw-rodH, immediately above the pipe D. \Vhen anyone of the receptacles A is empty, the rod H is lowered until its valve K closes the tube D, thus cutting off the flow of the liquor into such receptacle. I

In the process of the dyeing the dye liquor is introduced into the reservoir O,whence it flows down through the tubes D into the receptacles A, where it percolates down through the material and out through the peforated bottoms of the receptacles into the lower part of the vat. The surplus dyeliquor thus introduced passes outthrough a horizontal pipe. 0, at the bottom ofthe vat. A downward flow of theliquoris thus maintained through the material Within the receptacle. Normally the dyeliquor stands within the vat above the covers I of the material being dyed, and the inflow of liquor being the same in quantity as the outflow the level of the liquor within the vat is thus maintained. The pressure of the liquor upon the material being dyed is thus determined by the height of the liquor above the material and by the rapidity of the flow. I In order to economize the dye-liquor, the same liquor is used continuously, it being carried from the outlet-pipe O of the vat upward through an inlet-pipe, Q, leading to the upper reservoir, 0. This upward current of the liquor may be effected by any suitable or convenient means-such as by an injector, a pump, or any suitable suction device. The preferred method of elevating the liquoris, however, one which has been particularly designed for this purpose, and which is illustrated in the drawings. The outlet-pipe from the vat flows into a closed cylindrical jacket, N, having a tight cover, R, and bottom S. From the upper part of this jacket extends a horizontal outlet-pipe, P, which communicates with the pipe Q, which conveys the liquor to the upper reservoir, 0. \Vithin this receptacle or 'power.

jacket N is a vertical rotary shaft, T, having its bearings in the top R and. bottom S of the jacket. This shaft is rotated from a horizontal shaft, 1, by intervening beveled gears Y Z, and the shaft 1 carries a band-pulley, 2, which is driven from any convenient source of ,The shaft T carries near its lower end an annular plate, U, which constitutes the bottom ofa cylinder, X, having an open mouth, which is located immediately beneath the outlet-pipe O. The cylinder X is supported near its upper end from the shaft by crossbars V, and the lower part of said cylinder is perforated, so that it communicates with the exteriorjacket, N. WVhen the apparatus is in operation, the dye-liquor flowing out from the' vat flows into the rotating cylinder X, and the liquor is thrown by the centrifugal force through the perforations in the cylinder into thejacketN, and is th us forced upward through the pipe Q into the reservoir 0, and thus the circulation of the liquor is maintained. In case this liquid elevating apparatus should be out of order for any reason, the circulation of the liquor may be carried on through the outlet-pipe L and the inlet-pipe M, through which the liquor may be caused to circulate in any convenient manner.

The dye-liquor may be kept at a proper temperature during ,the dyeing process by any suitable heating means.

In the modification of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 the construction of the vat and of the elevating apparatus is the same as in the arrangement just described. The changes made consist in a different construction of the removable frame-work and in the receptacles for holding the material. This modified apparatus is more particularly intended fordyeing when the colors orshadesare easy to be produced. The principal changes consist in the omission of the intermediate tubes between the reservoir 0 and the wool-receiving receptacles and in the construction of the receptacles themselves. The receptacles A communicate directly with the reservoir 0, and constitute, in fact, the bottom of said reservoir, and the material, instead of being introduced through removable doors, is introduced through the reservoir 0; also, as shown in the figures, there are two independent frame-works shown arranged side by side in the vat, this arrangement being shown to indicate the fact that more than one such frame-work may be used in the same vat. The operation of this modified apparatus is substantially the same as that of the first-described apparatus, except that there is no means shown IIO for cutting off the supply of liquor to any of q the receptacles. A slide-valve, 5, is shown in one wall of the reservoir 0 above the recepta cles A, but below the water-level in the vat, in order to permit the liquor within the vat to flow into the reservoir when the latter is lowered into the vat. This valve is closed during the operation of dyeing.

In both of the apparatuses described the dye-liquor within the vatis constantly exposed to the exterior air, and the dyeing is accomplished without any pressure beyond that of the weight of the liquor itself. In this manner the material is not injured or deteriorated by being subjected to great pressu re,as it some limeis where the dyeingisdone under pressure. lfit is desired, however, to dye with the liquor in the vat unexposed to the outer air, the vat itself may be hermetically sealed by having the flanges of the frame work extend over the upper edges of the vat in the manner shown in the modification illustrated in Fig. 7. In other respects the apparatus shown in Fig. 7 is similar to that shown in Fig. at, with the exception that all of the receptacles A are carried by a single frame, and all of the perforated covers I are acted upon simultaneously from the same pressure-screws.

In themodified form of receptacles A shown in Figs. 8 and 9 the receptacles are adapted indifferently for dyeing the material either in tops or in flocks, noils, tufts, &c. 111 this modified construction the receptacle A is a single large receptacle at the bottom of the reservoir 0, having a single horizontal perforated bottom, upon which the material to be dyed is placed, and having a single horizontal perforated cover, which presses upon the material placed upon the bottom plate. The material is placedupon the bottom plate,and any interstices between the different tufts of the material are filled by means of plugs 4. 4, which are movable, and are made of wood, metal, or other suitable material. These plugs prevent the liquor passing down through such interstices and compel it to percolate through the material under treatment. At the bottom of the receptacle is a check-valve, 6,which opens when the frame-work is lowered into the vat in order to permit theliquor within the vat to rise up into the reservoir 0; but this valve re mains closed during the operation of dyeing.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a dyeing apparatus, a vat for contain ing the dyeing-liquor, in combination with a frame-work carrying a receptacle for containing the material to be dyed, said receptacle being submerged in the dye-liquor within the vat, and a reservoir carried by said framework and communicating with said receptacle, into which reservoir the dye-liquor is introduced, substantially as set forth.

2. In a dyeing apparatus, a dyevat for contai ning the dye liquor, and a removable framework resting upon said vat, in combination with receptacles for containing the material to be dyed,said receptacles being suspended from said frame-work and submerged within the liquor in said vat, and said receptacles having imperforate sides and perforated bottoms, and a reservoir supported by said frame-work above said receptacles and communicating threwith, into which reservoir the dye-liquor is introduced, substantially as set forth.

3. In a dyeing apparatus, a dye-vat for containing the dye-liquor, receptacles for containing the material to be dyed submerged within the liquor in said vat, said receptacles having closed sides and perforated bottoms, and said receptacles communicating with said vat solely through said perforated bottoms, and a reservoir located above said receptacle and communicating with the upper parts thereof, in combination with an outlet-pipe leading from said vat, an inlet-pipe conveying liquor to said reservoir, and a liquid-elevator for conveying the liquor from said outlet to said inlet-pipe, substantially as set forth.

4. In a dyeing apparatus, a dye-vat for containing the dye liquor, receptacles for containing the material to be dyed submerged within the liquor in said vat, said receptacles having perforated bottoms through which they communicate with said vat, and a reservoir located above said receptacles and corn municating therewith, in combination with an outlet-pipe leading from said vat, a jacket or receptacle into which said outlet-pipe leads, an upwardly-extending pipe leading from said jacket and conveying the liquor into said reservoir, a rotary shaft within said jacket, and a cylinder mounted on said shaft, said cylinder having perforated walls,into which cylinder said outlet-pipe discharges the dye-liquor, substantially as set forth.

5. In a dyeing apparatus, avat for containing the dye-liquor, in combination with a frame-work mounted upon said vat, a receptacle for containing the material to be dyed carried by said frame-work, said receptacle having a perforated bottom through which it communicates with said dye-vat, and a reservoir carried by said frame-work communicating with the upper part of said receptacle, substantially as set forth.

6. In a dyeing apparatus, a dye-vat for containing the dye-liquor, in combination with a reservoir located above said vat, a series of re ceptacles for containing the material to be dyed suspended from said reservoir and submerged in the dye liquor within said vat,said receptacles having perforated bottoms through which alone they communicate with said vat, and tubes connecting said reservoir with the upper portions of said receptacles, substantially as setforth.

7. In a dyeing apparatus, a dye-vat for containing the dye liquor, a reservoir located above said vat, and a series of receptacles for containing the material to be dyed suspended from said reservoir and submerged within the liquor in said vat, said receptacles having perforated bottoms through which alone they communicate with said vat, in combination with a series of tubes connecting said reservoir and said receptacles, perforated pressure-covers within each of said receptacles, and a screw pressure-rod extending through each of said tubes and operating said pressi'irecovers, substantially as set forth.

8. In a dyeing apparatus, a dye-vat for containing the liquor, in combination with a reservoir located above said vat, a series of receptacles suspended from said reservoir and submerged within the liquor in said vat, said which alone they communicate with said vat,

perforated cover within said receptacle, in combination with a removable end to said receptacle,which permits access thereto,substan- I tially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing receptacles having perforated bottoms through tubes connecting said reservoir with the upper part of said receptac1es,and valves adapted when desired, substantially as set forth.

9. A receptacle for containing material to be dyed having a perforated bottom and closed sides and ends, a tube communicating with the upper part of said receptacle, and a ALBERT HARMEL.

Witnesses: v

JONATHAN HOLDEN, FRANQOIS CHAMPION. 

